Dietitians and Nutritionists

Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.

Median Wage:

$52,150

Employed:

60,300

Growth:

9%

Green:

No

Zone:

5 - Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Interests: Dietitians and Nutritionists

95

Investigative

People with Investigative interests like work activities that have to do with ideas and thinking more than with physical activity. They like to search for facts and figure out problems mentally rather than to persuade or lead people.

89

Social

People with Social interests like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They prefer to communicate more than to work with objects, machines, or data. They like to teach, to give advice, to help, or otherwise be of service to people.

51

Enterprising

People with Enterprising interests like work activities that have to do with starting up and carrying out projects, especially business ventures. They like persuading and leading people and making decisions. They like taking risks for profit. These people prefer action rather than thought.

23

Artistic

People with Artistic interests like work activities that deal with the artistic side of things, such as forms, designs, and patterns. They like self-expression in their work. They prefer settings where work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

23

Realistic

People with Realistic interests like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They enjoy dealing with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. They enjoy outside work. Often people with Realistic interests do not like occupations that mainly involve doing paperwork or working closely with others.

18

Conventional

People with Conventional interests like work activities that follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and detail rather than with ideas. They prefer work in which there are precise standards rather than work in which you have to judge things by yourself. These people like working where the lines of authority are clear.

Styles: Dietitians and Nutritionists

85

Integrity

Job requires being honest and ethical.

81

Attention to Detail

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

80

Dependability

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

78

Concern for Others

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

77

Analytical Thinking

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

72

Cooperation

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

69

Social Orientation

Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

65

Stress Tolerance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

63

Adaptability/Flexibility

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

62

Leadership

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

58

Persistence

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

53

Independence

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

51

Innovation

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Values: Dietitians and Nutritionists

81

Relationships

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

75

Independence

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

67

Recognition

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

67

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

64

Working Conditions

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Knowledge: Dietitians and Nutritionists

65

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

65

Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

64

Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

61

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

61

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

60

Therapy and Counseling

Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

54

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

51

Chemistry

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m

47

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

46

Sociology and Anthropology

Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

46

Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

42

Food Production

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

40

Clerical

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

22

Economics and Accounting

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

20

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

14

Foreign Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

8

Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

7

Physics

Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

7

Transportation

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

5

Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

5

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

4

Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

4

History and Archeology

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

2

Fine Arts

Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

Skills: Dietitians and Nutritionists

66

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

65

Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

64

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

63

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

57

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

55

Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

54

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

53

Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

52

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

51

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

51

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

50

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

47

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

47

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Median Wage - The salaries are US national averages as of 2009 (bls.gov).

Green Careers - The 'green' careers are classified using O*NET classification as reported at onetcenter.org.

Growth - Growth rates are US national 10-year projections as of 2008 (bls.gov).

Zone - Zone refers to 'Job Zone' which is a group of occupations that are similar in the amount of education, experience, and on-the-job training needed, with 1 being lowest and 5 highest (onetcenter.org).

Employed - Employed refers to the number of people employed in this career in 2008 (bls.gov).

*Note:

In cases where individual values are not
available, values are
estimated using averages across similar careers.